Newbie needs advice - PM & Steelhead

[posigian]

Ok, they dont get more green than me. Im new to river fishing and Steelhead and need a little direction from the folk who know better.

1) Where on the PM would be a good place to start?

I need a place that offers good parking, easy access, and
yet has enough room for a newbie like me. I have a map from
BBT and could easily drive around to the differnt spots but any
recomendation as to a good place to start would be great.

2) Bobbers or off the bottom?

3) Is it true I need a National Forrest sticker for my car?

4) Any other advice would be great?

Im really new to this Steelhead stuff so any other advice would be appreciated as Im flying solo over here. Ive got everything I think I need - now all I need to do is learn to fish:(

Ill probably be going Sunday the 13th with my first stop being at BBT for spawn and a license. So if anyone is heading out there for the day and wouldn't mind the company, maybe you could show me the ropes :D

Thanks for all the help folks,

Posigian

[quix20]

as far as where to start it is hard telling. i personally like gleasons landing and mapleleaf (i think that is what it is called).

as far as stickers, yes, i believe you need a sticker for most parking spots on the pm. you can buy daily passes at bbt though.

as far as bobbers, or bottom. it all depends on what you feel comfortable with. i am not comfortable with a bobber so i usually bottom bounce. though i am trying to learn the fine art of bobber fishing. it is more a personal preferance thing, and of course depends on the condition of the water you are fishing at the time.

i am thinking of staying up north on sat. night, so i might be able to meet you and see what we can do as far as fishing. i will let you know by thursday for sure (if that is okay).

[kroppe]

posigian,

I really like Sulak, you can find it on the map from BBT. Upper Branch would be my second choice. At the parking lot you will see a sign with envelopes, where you write your vehicle information down and put in $3.00 for parking. Then you rip the tab off the envelope and put it on your dashboard. Sulak has nice water IMHO.

I would bottom bounce. A very simple rig I have caught many many fish on is a size 10 hook with 3 splitshot about 24" above the hook, baited with 2 waxworms. This is a very simple, very effective rig. You can also get a little more involved if you use a pencil lead type sinker. I think the pencil lead sinkers hang up less than splitshot, but when they do, it's a bigger job to re-rig vs. splitshot.

Last piece of advice is, go and get 'em and have a great time!

[uniborn]

WARNING !!! WARNING!!!!! By getting started in chrome chasing you are inviting all kinds of chaos to your life. Lots of heartbreak and by being a newby your sure to have some beginners luck and than a several long dry spells just to keep you hooked. These fish are evil beings,let me tell ya. Just step back every now and again and take a deep breath. If you dont you might find yourself in a frenzy of broken tangled up rod and tree full of line as the beautiful fresh chromer bats his tail at you and swims off. Good luck and have patience. Have patience.
uniborn

[Walligator]

Posigian, ausable_steelhead wrote a great piece on spring steelhead fishing. Look under 'Cold Water Species Fishing', and you will see his post, "newbies guide to spring steelhead fishing". That should help you out alot. Good Luck!

[posigian]

quix20,

I would love to have someone come and show me the ropes so if you can make it let me know. The weather is supposed to be good rest of the week so Im thinking the fish might be there.

New Question;

What lenght of rod?

I bought a 10 1/2' rod and Im starting to think its too much. I went down to the PM today ( dont tell my boss ;) ) and that river really isnt that wide.

Should I use my 7 1/2' rod instead?

Thanks for the feed back folks,

Posigian

[flyrod4steelhead]

You will be in great shape with your 10 1/2. I don't know if "I" would use a 7 1/2, but take it with you. It never hurt's to have a back up rod, or two.

I would say, take some bobber's with ya and try them out. If you don't like it, take 'em off, and your back fishing again.

Most important thing HAVE FUN.
These are such elusive fish, but that is why "we" keep coming back for more every spring.

Good Luck.

[quix20]

posigian, well i dont know if i can show you the ropes or not. havent caught but one my whole life. but i can be good company if nothing else.

like everyone else has said so far, just make sure you enjoy your time out there. it has taken me a while to understand that.

i was frustrated with not catching fish all the time. the guys would really get on me about it (just ask shoeman!!:)) but i am learning to enjoy the time on the river more and more. right now i dont care if i catch fish (though it would be a bonus), i just enjoy the solitude of the river.

i will let you know for sure by tommorow night. gotta get it past the boss first. shouldnt be much of a problem though since i will be up in that area. gotta bring my son up to my grandparents for the week while he is on spring break.

[Whit1]

Pos,
As you look across the surface of a steelie stream look for water that seems to form an edge or seam between faster and slower current. This does include swirling eddies, but not primarily.

This water would be deeper than the surrounding area, maybe by only a few feet or several feet. Let your offering bounce along bottom in these seams, casting upstream and letting the spawn sac, if that's what you're using, tumble along the stream's bed.

Redds or beds, those areas of cleaned out gravel where these silver bullets do their procreating thing can also be fished if you so choose. Some anglers frown upon this, but it is legal and can be done. The fish will be hovering over the cleaned out gravel areas (they're much brighter and a bit deeper than the surrounding area, or, resting just below the bed in water that is a bit deeper.

I hope this helps.

[DryFly]

I agree with most who gave you ideas.

Keep the rig simple. 10# line down to a 2 way swivel. then you can go with a 8-4 pound leader depending on how much cover you have to fish in or how spooky the fish are. Put a couple of shot above the swivel. If you hang up the most you will lose is the bait and leader. Real easy to retie and get back in the water. I find my odds are better as I'm in the water more often rather than tieing fancy rigs.

Drifting spawn or a fly just off the bottom works best. A bobber may keep you out of the structure but it also floats you high over the irregular bottom.

Do not allow your bait to "bounce" off the bottom. This gives a jerky presentation, very unnatural.

A 9' limber rod will do nicely on big and small rivers. A good rod for all.

As your rig is going along the bottom, if you feel it start to bounce
just lift the rod a very little to get it off the bottom. Ease it back down until you start to get the feel as to where the bottom is.
A little practice and you will do good.